Toy with multiple light emitting diodes

ABSTRACT

A toy or novelty item having multiple light emitting devices for providing at least three individual user selected colors, switches for selecting one of the three individual colors and electrical circuitry for electrically connecting a power source such as a battery with the desired color selected by the associated switch. Substantially the entire translucent body of the toy or novelty item is colored by the light emitting devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No. 61/724,486, filed Nov. 9, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application is directed to a toy or novelty item having multiple light emitting diodes to illuminate substantially the entire body of the toy or novelty item.

2. Background of the Art

Toys that change color are known in the art. Some toys have a temperature sensitive paint which changes color according to the external temperature. For example, such a toy can have one color when immersed in hot water and a different color when immersed in cold water. Other toys have a molded plastic having a fluorescent colorant which is of a particular color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Such a toy has a different color indoors with incandescent lighting and outdoors in sunlight. Typically, such conventional color change toys have only two possible colors. Yet other toys have LED's which illuminate only particular features of the toy.

What is needed is a toy, the entire color of which can be selected from among several colors.

SUMMARY

A color change toy or novelty item is provided herein, said color change toy or novelty item comprising (a) a body defining an interior space, at least a major portion of said body being a translucent material; (b) multiple light emitting devices for providing at least three user selectable individual colors; (c) switching means associated with the body for selecting a desired color; and (d) electrical circuitry means for connecting a power source to the light emitting diode(s) having the desired color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toy vehicle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of the invention; and,

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram associated with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toy, which in this case is exemplified by a vehicle, includes a body 101 of a translucent, preferably white material. Although the invention is described herein as related to a toy vehicle, the invention can be used in conjunction with any type of toy or novelty item.

Body 101 can be fabricated from any polymeric material suitable for the purposes described herein. Polymeric materials suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, engineering plastics such as high density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene plastic (UHMWPE), MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic (Nylon), polytetrafluoroethylene plastic (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyoxymethylene plastic (POM/Acetal). Optionally, body 101 can include graphics and/or indicia 107. The body 101 defines an interior space in which multiple light emitting devices are disposed. The multiple light emitting devices provide at least three user selectable individual colors. Substantially the entire body 101 is illuminated and acquires the selected color when the individual color light provided by the light emitting device is switched on.

More particularly, the multiple light emitting devices include at least three light emitting devices, each, when actuated, emitting a color specific to the device and different from the colors of the other light emitting devices. In a preferred embodiment the light emitting devices comprise a specific light emitting diode for each of at least three different colors. Exemplary colors include, but are not limited to, red, blue, purple, yellow, green etc. Although light emitting diodes are preferred, as an alternative low wattage incandescent light bulbs of different selected colors can be employed as the light emitting devices. Unlike multicolor LEDs, the light emitting devices herein are not contained within a single package or unit, and said light emitting devices of the invention need not be positioned adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, each other. Rather they can optionally be positioned apart from each other in different locations within the interior of the toy or novelty item.

The toy vehicle 100 includes switching means associated with the body 101. In particular the switching means includes a switch, for example a push button switch, associated with each of the colors to be selected by the user of the toy. In an embodiment, the switch itself is color coded to conform to the color selected by the switch. As shown in FIG. 2, various switches (102, 104, 106, 108 and 109) are disposed on a lateral side 103 of the body 101. As explained below, switch 102 activates a light show with multiple flashing light emitting diodes to provide a color light show, optionally with sound effects. Switch 104 activates one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the red light emitting diode. Switch 106 activates a different one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the blue light emitting diode. Switch 108 activates a third one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the purple light emitting diode. Switch 105 actuates all of the light emitting diodes at the same time. Triangular shaped switch 109 activates an internal motor which propels the toy vehicle 100. The toy vehicle 100 includes a power source such as a battery and electrical circuitry for electrically connecting the power source to the individual color light emitting diode selected by the switch.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the functioning of the present invention is illustrated with a circuit diagram. The invention includes three light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113, each providing a particular color different from the colors of the other light emitting diodes. Battery 120 provides a power source for operation of the light emitting diodes. Switch 104 controls power to light emitting diode 111. Switch 106 controls power to light emitting diode 112. Switch 108 controls power to light emitting diode 113. Accordingly, when any of the switches 104, 106, or 108 are actuated the toy is totally illuminated with the color of the particular light emitting diode associated with the corresponding switch.

Switch 105 is preferably a triple pole switch. When actuated, switch 105 provides power to all three light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113, thereby also providing an additional color which is made up of the combined colors of the three light emitting diodes. In an alternative embodiment, switch 105 provides power to two of the light emitting diodes.

The invention further includes a controller C with an associated input I, memory M and, optionally, speaker S. Input I includes a separate switch such as switch 102 which controls power from a battery (e.g., battery 120 or a separate battery) to controller C. Electrical lines 131, 132 and 133 electrically connect controller C to light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113, respectively. Controller C is also connected to a speaker S to provide sound effects stored in memory M. Controller C is a computer chip with switches programmed to close and open to turn on and off the light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113 in a desired pattern, thereby providing a light show with sound effects.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A color change toy or novelty item which comprises: a) a body defining an interior space, at least a major portion of said body being a translucent material; b) multiple light emitting devices associated with the body and providing at least three user selectable individual colors; c) switching means associated with the body for selecting a desired color; and d) electrical circuitry means for connecting a power source to one or more of the light emitting devices.
 2. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the body is a white translucent material and substantially the entire body acquires the desired color when said desired color is selected.
 3. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the multiple light emitting devices comprise at least one light emitting diode for each of the at least three user selectable colors.
 4. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the user selectable colors of the multiple light emitting devices include at least three of red, blue, purple, yellow and green.
 5. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the switching means comprises at least one switch for a respective one of each of the desired colors.
 6. The toy or novelty item of claim 5 wherein the switches are push button switches.
 7. The toy or novelty item of claim 6 wherein the switches are each color coded to conform to the color selected by the switch.
 8. The toy or novelty item of claim 7 wherein said toy or novelty item is a toy vehicle.
 9. The toy or novelty item of claim 8 wherein the switches are disposed on a lateral side of the body.
 10. The toy or novelty item of claim 3 wherein the power source is a battery and the battery, switching means and light emitting diodes are connected by the electrical circuitry means.
 11. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the multiple light emitting devices are positioned in the interior space of the body.
 12. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 wherein the body is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene plastic, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene plastic, MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene oxide, polysulphone, polyetherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide and polyoxymethylene plastic.
 13. The toy or novelty item of claim 3 further including a controller with an associated input switch and memory, said controller being electrically connected to the light emitting diodes for individually activating and deactivating said light emitting diodes in accordance with a programmed arrangement.
 14. The toy or novelty item of claim 13 wherein the controller is electrically connected to a speaker to provide sound effects.
 15. The toy or novelty item of claim 3 further including a switch electrically connected to the light emitting diodes to simultaneously activate at least two of the light emitting diodes.
 16. The toy or novelty item of claim 15 wherein said switch is electrically connected to the light emitting diodes to simultaneously activate all of the light emitting diodes.
 17. The toy or novelty item of claim 1 further including a motor and a switch for actuating said motor.
 18. A toy vehicle comprising: a) a body defining an interior space, at least a major portion of said body being a translucent material; b) at least three light emitting diodes positioned in the interior of the body and providing at least three user selectable individual colors; c) a plurality of switches disposed on a lateral side of the vehicle, at least one switch being provided for each individual color; d) electrical circuitry means for connecting a power source to the light emitting device having the desired color; e) a controller with an associated input switch and memory, said controller being electrically connected to the light emitting diodes for individually activating and deactivating said light emitting diodes in accordance with a programmed arrangement, wherein the controller is electrically connected to a speaker to provide sound effects; f) a switch electrically connected to the light emitting diodes to simultaneously activate all of the light emitting diodes; and, g) a motor and a switch for actuating said motor to propel the vehicle.
 19. The toy vehicle of claim 18 wherein the switches disposed on the lateral side of the vehicle are each color coded to conform to the color of the respective light emitting diode activated by the switch.
 20. The toy vehicle of claim 18 wherein the body of the vehicle is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene plastic, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene plastic, MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene oxide, polysulphone, polyetherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide and polyoxymethylene plastic. 